Cléa Colombo, a specialist in Cardiology and Sports Medicine, is the only Brazilian involved in the study of sudden deaths of athletes on the field due to heart disease. 

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) brought together cardiology experts from all continents to assess and determine the causes of sudden cardiac death on the field and what preventive actions can be taken. 

In total, the study involved 16 sports cardiologists from different countries, only 4 of whom were women. Among them was Cléa Colombo, a medical specialist in Cardiology and Sports Medicine and a professor in the undergraduate program at Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic. 

Cléa, who holds a Master's degree in Sports Cardiology from St George's University in London, is the only Brazilian participating in the study coordinated by FIFA. Regarding the selection process, the Doctor said: 

“I received the invitation directly from the FIFA Medical Committee. During the selection process, each member of the Committee nominated 4 people, and the coordination team chose, from among those nominated, who would be invited to participate in the document based on expertise in Sports Cardiology.”

His contribution, along with those of other experts involved in the research, was presented in Zurich, Switzerland. Based on the study's results, physical examinations, family history analysis, and electrocardiograms became mandatory for athletes to register for official FIFA youth tournaments. 

Cléa's presence in the study opens doors for the recognition of Brazilian healthcare professionals on the international stage and symbolizes an increasingly visible movement: the growth and recognition of women's participation in advancements in Medicine and Science.